Modular household refrigeration system and method

ABSTRACT

A modular household refrigeration system and method includes a refrigerated source of a primary coolant. The refrigerated source includes a tank for holding the primary coolant and a vapor compression refrigeration cycle system having a secondary coolant in thermal contact with the primary coolant for cooling thereof. At least one refrigerator module is remotely positioned relative to the refrigerated source and the tank. The at least one refrigerator module is fluidly connected to the refrigerated source and the tank by an inlet coolant line for delivery of the primary coolant and an exit coolant line for return of the primary coolant. The primary coolant is delivered to the at least one refrigerator module for cooling thereof to a predetermined temperature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to household refrigerationsystems, and more particularly relates to a modular householdrefrigeration system and method. In one embodiment, first and secondrefrigerator modules are remotely positioned relative to a tank holdinga primary coolant at a desired temperature. The first and secondrefrigerator modules are fluidly connected to the tank by an inletcoolant line and an exit coolant line. The inlet coolant line deliversthe primary coolant to the modules for cooling thereof, and the exitcoolant line returns the primary coolant from the modules after coolingthereof to the tank. The modular household refrigeration system andmethod will be described with particular reference to this embodiment,but it is to be appreciated that it is also amenable to other likeapplications.

Heretofore, if a consumer required a large refrigerator capacity forhousehold refrigeration purposes, the consumer would have to maintainmore than one large refrigerator. Maintenance of more than one largerefrigerator in a household can be cumbersome due to the typicalrefrigerator's size and dimensions. These tend to restrict placement ofthe refrigerators so as to prevent the consumer from locating therefrigerators at spaced-apart, convenient locations within a kitchenarea, for example.

Of course, the majority of conventional large refrigerators forhousehold use offer only two temperature zones. This limits the varietyof food that can be stored at optimum storage temperatures. For example,all food in a typical refrigerator is stored either in a singlerefrigerated compartment maintained at a desired temperature (e.g.,5-10° C.) or a single freezer compartment maintained at another desiredtemperature (e.g., −18° C.). The enhancement of the refrigerationcapacity can only be obtained through buying a complete newrefrigerator. Thus, while consumers can partially address this problemby using multiple complete refrigerators, such a solution is cumbersomeand typically not ideal for the consumer's household.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a refrigeration system is provided. Moreparticularly, in accordance with this aspect, the refrigeration systemhas two or more refrigerated units which can be used to store a varietyof food in a domestic environment. The refrigerated units can be cooledand maintained independently to desired temperatures using a commonliquid coolant line. The liquid coolant can be maintained at a requiredtemperature using a centrally located refrigerator system.

According to another aspect, a modular refrigerator system is providedfor household refrigeration. More particularly, in accordance with thisembodiment, the modular refrigerator system includes a tank for holdinga primary coolant at a desired temperature and one or more refrigeratormodules remotely positioned relative to the tank. A first refrigeratormodule is fluidly connected to the tank by an inlet coolant line and anexit coolant line. The inlet coolant line delivers the primary coolantfrom the tank to the first refrigerator module for cooling thereof andthe exit coolant line returns the primary coolant from the firstrefrigerator module after cooling thereof to the tank. A secondrefrigerator module may also be remotely positioned relative to thetank. The second refrigerator module would be similarly fluidlyconnected to the tank by the inlet coolant line and the exit coolantline. The inlet coolant line delivers the primary coolant from the tankto the second refrigerator module for cooling thereof and the exitcoolant line returns the primary coolant from the second refrigeratormodule after cooling thereof to the tank. Additional refrigeratormodules could be similarly included in the system.

According to yet another aspect. a modular household refrigerationsystem is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect,the modular household refrigeration system includes a refrigeratedsource of a primary coolant. The refrigerated source includes a vaporcompression refrigeration cycle system having a secondary coolant inthermal contact with the primary coolant of the refrigerated source forcooling of the primary coolant. At least one refrigerator module isremotely positioned relative to the refrigerated source. The at leastone refrigerator module is fluidly connected to the refrigerator sourceby an inlet coolant line for delivering the primary coolant from therefrigerated source to the at least one refrigerator module and an exitcoolant line for returning the primary coolant from the at least onerefrigerator module to the refrigerated source. The primary coolant isdelivered to the at least one refrigerator module for cooling the atleast one refrigerated module to a predetermined temperature.

According to still yet another aspect, a method of distributingrefrigeration in a household is provided. More particularly, inaccordance with this aspect, a refrigerated source of a primary coolantis provided. A first refrigerator module is remotely positioned relativeto the refrigerated source. The first refrigerator module is fluidlycoupled to the refrigerated source for delivery and return of theprimary coolant. A second refrigerator module is remotely positionedrelative to the refrigerated source. The second refrigerator module isfluidly coupled to the refrigerated source for delivery and return ofthe primary coolant. The primary coolant is cooled with a secondarycoolant of a closed circuit vapor compression refrigeration cyclesystem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a modular household refrigeration systemwherein two refrigerator modules are remotely positioned relative to atemperature controlled tank and a refrigeration system, but fluidlyconnected to the tank for delivery and return of a primary coolant.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed schematic view of a modular householdrefrigeration system having refrigerator modules remotely positionedrelative to a temperature controlled tank in a refrigeration system, butfluidly connected to the tank for the delivery and return of a primarycoolant.

FIG. 3 is schematic view of an alternate modular household refrigerationsystem having refrigerator modules remotely positioned relative to apair of temperature controlled tanks and a refrigeration system forcontrolling temperatures of a primary coolant held in the tanks.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a modular household refrigerationsystem shown deployed in a household kitchen area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating one or more exemplary embodiments, FIG. 1 shows a modularrefrigerator system for household refrigeration generally designated byreference numeral 10. As will be described in more detail below, thesystem 10 allows for two or more refrigerated modules or units to beused to store a variety of food in a domestic environment (e.g. ahousehold kitchen area). The refrigerated modules or units can be cooledand maintained independently relative to one another at desiredtemperatures using a common liquid coolant line. The coolant carried bythe liquid coolant line can be maintained at a required temperatureusing a centrally located refrigerator system, which itself can bepositioned remotely relative to the units or modules.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the system 10 includes a tank12 that holds a primary coolant 14 (i.e., a liquid coolant) at a desiredtemperature. The illustrated system 10 further includes a firstrefrigerator module 16 and a second refrigerator module 18. Though theillustrated system 10 includes only two modules, it is to be appreciatedthat the system 10 can employ any number of modules, as desired. Themodules 16,18 which can also be referred to as units, can be compact insize allowing placement of the modules 16,18 at any desired location.For example, the modules 16,18 can be positioned at places of consumerconvenience in a domestic kitchen, such as under a kitchen counter. Aswill be described in more detail below, the modules 16,18 can bemaintained independently at different preferred temperatures, such aswould be required by different types of foods and/or beverages. Thesystem 10 provides for enhanced refrigerated storage capacity in adomestic environment by allowing any number of modules to be used,including the addition of further modules at some later time.

The first refrigerator module 16 can be remotely positioned relative tothe tank 12. The first refrigerator module 16 is fluidly connected tothe tank 12 by an inlet coolant line 20 and an exit coolant line 22. Inparticular, the inlet coolant line 20 delivers primary coolant 14 fromthe tank 12 to the first refrigerator module 16 for cooling thereof andthe exit coolant line 22 returns the primary coolant 14 from the firstrefrigerator module 16 after cooling thereof to the tank 12. Likewise,the second refrigerator module 18 can be remotely positioned relative tothe tank 12 and can be fluidly connected to the tank by the inletcoolant line 20 and the exit coolant line 22. The inlet coolant line 20delivers the primary coolant 14 from the tank 12 to the secondrefrigerator module 18 for cooling thereof and the exit coolant line 22returns the primary coolant 14 from the second refrigerator module 18after cooling thereof to the tank 12. The coolant lines 20,22 areconfigured such that any number of additional modules, similar tomodules 16 and 18, can be fluidly connected thereto. As illustrated,branch lines 24,26 can be used for fluidly coupling the modules 16,18 tothe inlet coolant line 20, respectively. Likewise, branch lines 28,30can be used to respectively fluidly couple the modules 16,18 to the exitcoolant line 22. Alternatively, the modules 16,18 can be fluidlyconnected to the coolant lines 20,22 without the branch lines 28,30.

The system 10 can further include a refrigeration system 32 operativelyconnected to the tank 12 for providing temperature control for primarythe coolant 14 in the tank. A refrigeration system 32 cools the primarycoolant 14 to the desired temperature for cooling of the modules 16,18.More particularly, as will be understood and appreciated by thoseskilled in the art, the modules 16,18 can respectively definerefrigerated storage compartments 34,36 that are cooled by the primarycoolant 14 being passed through or by the modules 16,18. The primarycoolant 14 removes heat from the compartments 34,36 and is returned tothe tank 12 by the exit coolant line 22 at a higher temperature (i.e., atemperature higher than the desired temperature) than the primarycoolant 14 that is delivered to the modules 16,18 by the inlet coolantline 20. In the illustrated system 10, the tank 12 of primary coolant 14and the refrigeration system 32 together form a refrigerated source ofthe primary coolant 14. The primary coolant tank, the coolant pipes, theheat exchanger for refrigerant to coolant heat exchange, and the coolantpump may be suitably insulated to minimize the heat losses.

With reference to FIG. 2, a modular refrigeration system 50 is shownaccording to an alternate embodiment for household refrigeration. Thesystem 50 includes a refrigerated source 52 of a primary coolant 54 andat least one refrigerator module remotely positioned relative to therefrigerated source 52. More particularly, as illustrated, therefrigerated source 52 includes a tank 56 that holds the primary coolant54 at a desired temperature. The refrigerated source 52 also includes arefrigeration system 58, such as the illustrated vapor compressionrefrigeration cycle system (though the refrigeration system 58 could beany refrigeration system capable of cooling the primary coolant 54),having a secondary coolant in thermal contact with the primary coolant54 for cooling of the primary coolant. In the illustrated embodiment,the system 50 includes a first refrigerator module 60, a secondrefrigerator module 62, and a third refrigerator module 64. The modules60,62,64 can be remotely positioned relative to the tank 56. Moreover,the modules 60,62,64 can be fluidly connected to the refrigerated source52, and specifically the tank 56, by an inlet coolant line 66 fordelivering the primary coolant 54 to the modules and an exit coolantline 68 for returning the primary coolant 54 from the modules to therefrigerated source 52, and specifically the tank 56. The primarycoolant 54 is delivered to the modules 60,62,64 for cooling the modulesto respective predetermined temperatures.

The refrigeration system 58, which is illustrated as a closed circuitvapor compression refrigeration cycle system, can include a compressor72 for circulating the secondary coolant within a secondary coolantclosed fluid circuit 74, an evaporator 76 for transferring heat from theprimary coolant 54 to the secondary coolant to cool the primary coolantto the desired temperature, a condenser 78 for condensing the secondarycoolant after cooling the primary coolant 54 in the evaporator 76, andan expansion device 80, such as an expansion valve or a capillarydevice, for expanding a volume of the secondary coolant after condensingthereof in the condenser 80. Through the system 58, the primary coolant54 held in the tank 56 can be in thermal contact with the secondarycoolant of the refrigeration system 58.

More particularly, in the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2, the primarycoolant 54 is passed through the evaporator 76 by fluid lines 82,84 andin thermal contact with the secondary coolant within the evaporator forheat transfer from the primary coolant 54 to the secondary coolant. Apump 86 can be used for forcibly moving the primary coolant 54 of thetank 56 through the evaporator 76 via the line 82 and return to the tank56 via the line 84. In particular, the primary coolant 54 can becirculated through the evaporator 76 (e.g., by the pump 86) and/or thesecondary coolant can be circulated through the evaporator 76 (e.g., thecompressor) based on a measured temperature (e.g., by sensor 116) of theprimary coolant 54 in the tank for cooling thereof to the desiredtemperature. The closed fluid circuit 74 of the refrigeration system 58can be a hermetically sealed circuit and the secondary coolant can beany conventional refrigerant, such as R134A or the like. In contrast tothe hermetically sealed circuit 74, the primary coolant 54 flows througha non-hermetically sealed closed circuit formed of the tank 56, theinlet and exit coolant lines 66,68 and the modules 60,62,64, as well asthe cycling lines 82,84. The primary coolant 54 can be any good heattransfer liquid, such as propylene glycol, for example.

The modules 60,62,64 can be sized so as to be compact and positionablein any location of consumer convenience, such as under a kitchencounter, for example. The modules 60,62,64 can each include arefrigerated portion or space, respectively 88,90,92 in the illustratedembodiment, defined therein for storing food or other refrigerateditems. The modules 60,62,64 can further include respective branch lines94,96,98 for specifically fluidly coupling each module to the inletcoolant line 66, and can likewise include further branch lines100,102,104 for respectively fluidly coupling each of the modules to theexit coolant line 68, though such branch lines are not required (i.e.,the modules 60,62,64 can be fluidly connected to the inlet and exitlines 66,68 in some other manner). A pump 106 can be employed forforcibly moving the primary coolant 54 from the tank 56 to the modules60,62,64 and for returning the primary coolant 54 from the modules backto the tank 56 via the exit coolant line 68.

The modules 60,62,64 can each include an evaporator 108 (i.e., a heatexchanger) for removing heat from the refrigerated portion (i.e., 88, 90or 92) of the modules. Accordingly, the evaporators 108 serve to coolthe air within the modules 60,62,64. Specifically, the primary coolant54 passing through the evaporators 108 warms as heat is removed from themodules. The warmed primary coolant 54 is returned to the tank 56 viathe exit coolant line 68, wherein the refrigeration system 58 can againcool the primary coolant 54 to the desired temperature. The primarycoolant 54 can remain in liquid form, even after cooling of the modules60,62,64. In addition, the inlet coolant line 66 and the exit coolantline 68, both carrying the primary coolant 54 in liquid form, can beconfigured to have any number of additional modules readily pluggedthereinto.

If desirable, the evaporators 108 can be adjustable for regulating theamount of heat removed from the refrigerated portions of the modules60,62,64 to control a temperature in said portions. In addition, or inthe alternative, the pump 106 can selectively circulate the primarycoolant 54 through the modules 60,62,64 for cooling thereof. A modulevalve 110 can be fluidly disposed in association with each of themodules 60,62,64 between the inlet coolant line 66 and the exit coolantline 68 for regulating an amount of the primary coolant 54 passedthrough the modules to control temperatures thereof. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the module valves 110 are fluidly disposedrespectively on the branch lines 94,96,98 for regulating the amount ofthe primary coolant 54 delivered by the inlet coolant line 66 to each ofthe modules 60,62,64. Specifically, a degree of opening of each of themodule valves 108 can occur based on a measured temperature within themodule 60,62,64 with which the particular module valve 110 isassociated. For example, the module valve 110 on branch line 94 can beopened to a greater degree if greater cooling of the refrigeratedportion 88 of module 60 is desired.

For controlling the system 50, a controller 112 can be employed. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 112 is shown as acentralized controller, but it is to be readily appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that the controller 112 can be either fully orpartially distributed within the system 50, such as among the modules60,62,64 and/or any other components of the system 50. In theillustrated embodiment, the centralized controller 112 can be housed orcontained within a main or central housing or unit 114, that also housesthe tank 56, the refrigeration system 58, and the apparatus forthermally linking the primary coolant 54 of the tank 56 with thesecondary coolant of circuit 74 of refrigeration system 58 (e.g., pump86 and evaporator 76 in the illustrated embodiment).

The controller 112 can be programmed to selectively cycle the primarycoolant 54 through the evaporator 76 and or cycle the secondary coolantof the closed circuit 74 through the evaporator 76. For example, thecontroller 112 can receive a measured temperature from temperaturesensor 116 disposed in or in association with the tank 56 for measuringa temperature of the primary coolant 54 in the tank 56. Based on themeasured temperature as indicated by the sensor 116, the controller 112can operate the pump 86 for forcing the primary coolant 54 through theevaporator 76 and or operate the compressor 72 to force the secondarycoolant of the circuit 74 through the evaporator 76 until the primarycoolant 54 is cooled to the desired temperature.

In addition, the controller 112 can be operatively connected to themodule valves 110 for operation thereof. In the illustrated embodiment,each module includes a module temperature sensor 118 that measures atemperature within the refrigerated portion (e.g., portion 88, 90 and/or92) of the modules and based on the temperature measured by the sensors118, the controller 112 can open or close the module valves 110 toselectively regulate the amount of primary coolant 54 passed through themodule and thereby control the temperature of the refrigerated portionof the modules. The opening or closing of the module valves 110 can, ofcourse, occur in degrees or in part. For example, a module valve 110could be opened from a 50% open position to a 75% open position. Thus,opening and closing of the module valves 110 need not occur in theabsolute, partial opening or closing can occur as desired.

The modules 60,62,64 can be any one of, for example, a cold plate, arefrigerated wine rack compartment, a fresh food refrigeratedcompartment, a freezer compartment, an ice machine, a cold waterdispenser, a cold sink, or any other type of refrigerated module. In oneembodiment, the module 60 is one of the aforementioned modules, themodule 62 is another of the aforementioned modules, and module 64 isstill another of the aforementioned modules. The modules 60,62,64 can bepositioned remotely relative to the central unit 114 and, if desired,can be positioned remotely relative to one another. In addition, themodules can be appropriately sized so as to be received under a kitchencounter, for example. For example, module 60 can be a small refrigeratedcompartment that is disposed under a kitchen counter.

Using the system 50, a method of distributing refrigeration in ahousehold will now be described. In particular, refrigerated source 52of primary coolant 54 can be provided. At least a first module, such asmodule 60, can be remotely positioned relative to the refrigeratedsource 52. The first module 60 can be fluidly coupled to therefrigerated source 52 for delivery and return of the primary coolant54. At least a second refrigerator module, such as module 62, can alsobe remotely positioned relative to the refrigerated source 52. Thesecond refrigerator 62 module can also be fluidly coupled to therefrigerated source 52 for delivery and return of the primary coolant54. The primary coolant 54 can be cooled with a secondary coolant of aclosed circuit vapor compression refrigeration cycle system 58. Ifdesired, remotely positioning of the modules can include installing atleast one of the modules 60,62 or 64 under a kitchen counter.

According to the system 50 of FIG. 2, multiple units or modules, such asmodules 60,62,64, can be maintained at different temperatures and thusable to store a wider variety of food at optimum storage temperatures.The various types of modules able to be employed in the system 50 allowsmany different types of modules to be used and placed at locations whichare considered more convenient in a domestic or household refrigerationsetup, such as spaced apart from one another within a kitchen area. Theability to add further modules to the system allows for future upgradesto the system 50, without necessitating the purchase of a complete newrefrigerator. Such addition of new modules to a conventional sealedsystem using a vapor compression refrigeration cycle would be much morecomplicated than is possible through the dual coolant system 50.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a modular refrigerator system 130 is shownaccording to an alternate embodiment for household refrigeration. Themodular refrigerator system 130 of FIG. 3 is generally the same as thesystem 50 of FIG. 2 except as indicated herein. One difference betweenthe systems 130 and 50 is that the system 130 employs dual tanks 132,134for holding the primary coolant 136. In particular, first tank 132 holdsthe primary coolant 136 at a first predetermined temperature, and secondtank 134 holds the primary coolant 136 at a second predeterminedtemperature. The tanks 132,134 can be housed within a main or centralunit 138 along with a refrigeration system 140, such as the illustratedclosed circuit vapor compression refrigeration cycle system.

Another distinction between the system 130 and the system 50 is that thesystem 130 uses the refrigeration system 140 to cycle the secondarycoolant through the tanks 132,134 for cooling of the primary coolant 136(as opposed to directing the primary coolant 136 through a separate orspaced apart evaporator). If desired, evaporators 142,144 can berespectively disposed within one or both of the tanks 132,134 forcooling of the primary coolant 136 held therein. As illustrated, theclosed circuit 146 of the refrigeration system 140 passes the secondarycoolant first through the second tank 134 and subsequently through thefirst tank 132. As a result of this arrangement, the primary coolant 136held in the second tank 134 can be cooled to a greater degree than isthe primary coolant 136 of the first tank 132. That is, more heat can beremoved from the primary coolant 136 of the second tank 134 by theevaporator 142 than occurs by the evaporator 144 of the first tank 132.Of course, however, this need not be required; for example, the degreeof cooling of tanks 132,134 could be controlled or determined by thesizing and/or style of the evaporators 142,144, if employed. In anycase, like the refrigeration system 58 of FIG. 2, the refrigerationsystem 140 can include a compressor 148, a condenser 150, and anexpansion device 152.

The modular refrigeration system 130 can also include refrigeratormodules 154,156,158 which can be the same or similar to the modules60,62,64 of FIG. 2, except as noted herein. As shown, the modules154,156,158 can be remotely positioned relative to the main unit 138 andthe tanks 132,134. Also, the modules 154,156,158 can be fluidlyconnected to the tanks 132,134 for cooling thereof. More particularly, afirst inlet portion 160 can fluidly connect the first tank 132 to themodules 156 and 158, for example, for delivery of the primary coolant136 held in a tank 132 at the first predetermined temperature. A secondinlet portion 162 can fluidly connect the second tank 134 to the modules154 and 156, for example, for delivery of the primary coolant 136 heldin the second tank 134 at the second predetermined temperature. Thus, inthe illustrated embodiment, the module 154 is fluidly connected only tothe tank 134, the module 158 is only fluidly connected to the tank 132,and a module 156 is fluidly connected to both the first and second tanks132,134. Of course, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art,any number of modules can be employed in the system 130 and any numberof modules can be connected to only the tank 132, to only the tank 134and/or to both tanks 132,134. Exemplary modules in which it might bedesirable to connect two multiple tanks for varying cooling of themodule could include a wine rack storage unit having at least two cooledcompartments, or a fresh food refrigeration unit, such as one having atleast two cooled compartments. In any case, separate pumps 164,166 canbe used to move the primary coolant 136 from corresponding tanks 132,134to the modules 60,62,64 and module valves 168 can be associated witheach fluid communication between a particular module and one or both ofthe tanks 132,134.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a modular refrigerator system 170 is showndistributed within a domestic or household kitchen. The system 170 couldbe the same or similar to one of the systems 10,50,130 describedhereinabove. As shown, the system 170 includes a main or central unit172, which can be like or the same as the main unit 114 in FIG. 2. Forexample, the unit 172 can include a tank 174 for holding a primarycoolant in liquid form and a refrigeration system using a secondarycoolant for cooling the primary coolant of the tank. As shown, system170 includes a plurality of modules distributed throughout theillustrated household kitchen and all modules are schematicallyillustrated as being fluidly connected to the tank 174 through a maincontroller or bypass unit 176.

For example, the system 170 can include a refrigerated wine rackcompartment module 178 located under kitchen counter 180. The system 170can also include a fresh produce module 182 and a fast/soft freezemodule 184, both also shown as being located under the kitchen counter180. The system 170 can additionally include a cool produce compartmentmodule 186 and a deep freeze module 188 disposed in island 190 in theillustrated kitchen. A cold salad bar or plate module 192 is also showndisposed on top of the island 190. In addition, an ice machine/ice makermodule 194 is shown under kitchen counter 196, and cold water module 198is illustrated adjacent the module 194. The schematically illustratedfluid lines 200, collectively forming an inlet coolant line, deliver aliquid coolant from the tank 174 to the various modules for coolingthereof. Though not shown, a return coolant line or lines would alsofluidly connect the modules back to the tank 174 for returning theprimary coolant to the tank 174 after cooling of the modules.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferredembodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur toothers upon reading and understanding the preceding detaileddescription. It is intended that the invention be construed as includingall such modifications and alterations.

1. A modular refrigerator system for household refrigeration,comprising: a tank for holding a primary coolant at a desiredtemperature; a first refrigerator module remotely positioned relative tosaid tank, said first refrigerator module fluidly connected to said tankby an inlet coolant line and an exit coolant line, said inlet coolantline delivering said primary coolant from said tank to said firstrefrigerator module for cooling thereof and said exit coolant linereturning said primary coolant from said first refrigerator module tosaid tank; and a second refrigerator module remotely positioned relativeto said tank, said second refrigerator module fluidly connected to saidtank by said inlet coolant line and said exit coolant line, said inletcoolant line delivering said primary coolant from said tank to saidsecond refrigerator module for cooling thereof and said exit coolantline returning said primary coolant from said second refrigerator moduleto said tank.
 2. The modular refrigerator system of claim 1 furtherincluding a refrigeration system operatively connected to said tank forproviding temperature control for said primary coolant in said tank,said refrigeration system cooling said primary coolant to said desiredtemperature.
 3. The modular refrigerator system of claim 2 wherein saidrefrigeration system is a closed circuit vapor compression refrigerationcycle system having a secondary coolant in thermal communication withsaid primary coolant in said tank for cooling thereof.
 4. The modularrefrigerator system of claim 3 wherein said closed circuit vaporcompression refrigeration cycle system includes including a compressorfor circulating said secondary coolant within a secondary coolant closedfluid circuit, an evaporator for transferring heat from said primarycoolant to said secondary coolant to cool said primary coolant to saiddesired temperature, a condenser for condensing said secondary coolantafter transferring heat from said primary coolant in said evaporator,and an expansion device for expanding a volume of said secondary coolantafter condensing of said secondary coolant in said condenser.
 5. Themodular refrigerator system of claim 4 wherein said secondary coolantclosed fluid circuit is a hermetically sealed circuit, said primarycoolant flowing through a non-hermetically sealed closed circuit formedof said tank, said inlet and exit coolant lines and said first and saidsecond modules.
 6. The modular refrigerator system of claim 4 whereinsaid primary coolant is circulated through said evaporator by a pump andsaid secondary coolant is circulated through said evaporator by saidcompressor based on a measured temperature of said primary coolant insaid tank for cooling of said primary coolant to said desiredtemperature.
 7. The modular refrigerator system of claim 1 wherein atleast one of said first and said second modules include an evaporatorfor removing heat from a refrigerated portion of said at least one ofsaid first and second modules and transferring said heat to said primarycoolant.
 8. The modular refrigerator system of claim 7 wherein saidevaporator is adjustable for regulating an amount of said heat removedfrom said refrigerated portion to control a temperature in saidrefrigerated portion.
 9. The modular refrigerator system of claim 1wherein a pump selectively circulates said primary coolant through saidfirst and second modules for cooling thereof.
 10. The modularrefrigerator system of claim 9 wherein a module valve is fluid disposedin association with each of said first and said second modules betweensaid inlet coolant line and said exit coolant line for regulating anamount of said primary coolant passed through each of said first andsecond modules to control temperatures of said first and said secondmodules.
 11. The modular refrigerator system of claim 10 wherein adegree of opening of said module valve occurs based on a measuredtemperature of the module with which said module valve is associated.12. The modular refrigerator system of claim 1 wherein said firstrefrigerator module is one of, and said second refrigerator module isanother of, a cold plate, a refrigerated wine rack compartment, a freshfood refrigerated compartment, a freezer compartment, an ice machine, acold water dispenser, and a cold sink.
 13. The modular refrigeratorsystem of claim 12 wherein said first refrigerator module is remotelypositioned relative to said second refrigerator module.
 14. The modularrefrigerator system of claim 12 wherein at least one of said first andsaid second refrigerator modules is located under a kitchen counter. 15.The modular refrigerator system of claim 1 wherein said primary coolantremains in liquid form after cooling of said first and secondrefrigerator modules, each of said inlet coolant line and said exitcoolant line, both carrying said primary coolant in liquid form,configured to have a third refrigerator module readily pluggedthereinto.
 16. The modular refrigerator system of claim 15 wherein saidinlet and exit coolant lines are configured to have a third refrigeratormodule readily plugged thereinto.
 17. A modular household refrigerationsystem, comprising a refrigerated source of a primary coolant; at leastone refrigerator module remotely positioned relative to saidrefrigerated source, said at least one refrigerator module fluidlyconnected to said refrigerated source by an inlet coolant line fordelivering said primary coolant from said refrigerated source to said atleast one refrigerator module and an exit coolant line for returningsaid primary coolant from said at least one refrigerator module to saidrefrigerated source, said primary coolant delivered to said at least onerefrigerator module for cooling said at least one refrigerated module toa predetermined temperature.
 18. The modular household refrigerationsystem of claim 17 wherein said refrigerated source includes a tank forholding said primary coolant, and a vapor compression refrigerationcycle system having a secondary coolant in thermal contact with saidprimary coolant held in said tank, said vapor compression refrigerationsystem including a compressor for circulating said secondary coolantwithin a secondary coolant closed fluid circuit, an evaporator fortransferring heat from said primary coolant to said secondary coolant tocool said primary coolant, a condenser for condensing said secondarycoolant after cooling of said primary coolant in said evaporator, and anexpansion device for expanding said secondary coolant after beingcondensed in said condenser.
 19. The modular household refrigerationsystem of claim 17 wherein said refrigerated source includes a firsttank holding said primary coolant at a first predetermined temperatureand a second tank holding said primary coolant at a second predeterminedtemperature, said inlet coolant line including a first inlet portionfluidly connecting said first tank to at least one of said at least onerefrigerator module for delivery of said primary coolant from said firsttank at said first predetermined temperature and a second inlet portionfluidly connecting said second tank to at least one of said at least onerefrigerator module for delivery of said primary coolant from saidsecond tank at said second predetermined temperature.
 20. A method ofdistributing refrigeration in a household, comprising: providing arefrigerated source of a primary coolant; remotely positioning a firstrefrigerator module relative to said refrigerated source; fluidlycoupling said first refrigerator module to said refrigerated source fordelivery and return of said primary coolant; remotely positioning asecond refrigerator module relative to said refrigerated source; fluidlycoupling said second refrigerator module to said refrigerated source fordelivery and return of said primary coolant; and cooling said primarycoolant with a secondary coolant of a closed circuit vapor compressionrefrigeration cycle system.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein saidremotely positioning said first refrigerated module includes installingsaid first refrigerated module under a kitchen counter.